Changes

I can’t believe that it’s been over 2 months since I last posted here. I’m a little disappointed, I was getting on a roll and then…mental blockage. It’s not that there hasn’t been anything to write about. In fact, there has been so much going on that I’m in complete and utter disbelief that it’s the middle of August already. I just got wrapped up in it all and the blog was the furthest thing on my mind.

Big things have been happening lately, things so big that I’m not quite convinced yet that it isn’t all just a dream. Life altering things. Exciting things. Scary things.

I’m opening my own photo studio/gallery.

Ya.

I just had to reread that sentence a couple of times to help it sink in.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted a studio. An art space where it is my job to create, to capture something, an object, a thought, a feeling, and share it with the world. I am an artist of many mediums; sketch, paint, fiber, but I’ve always been most drawn to photography. There is so much beauty in this world that deserves to be known, to be remembered, at that exact moment. Nature photography has always been my thing, particularly macro. Taking the time to stop and look close, through the magnification of a camera lens, gave me such an appreciation for how unique every detail of the world is, all the way down to a blade of grass. It wasn’t until I had spent this past summer working as a photographer’s assistant that I discovered an even greater appreciation for portrait photography. The more shoots I went to the more I found myself drawn to the individuality of people. The little things, the details of an existence truly unique to each. It’s a smile, a look, a gesture. I found myself itching to be the one behind the camera preserving that essence. To be that person saving moments and memories for others, so that one day when that picture in their mind becomes faded they can rely on a photograph to bring it all back. Aside of creating life, I can’t imagine anything more gratifying in the world than capturing the beauty of it. 

"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?"
Frida Kahlo

Peony Collection

It's been almost a week since I'd posted last and I've been itching for days to get back on here and write something. It's funny how this blogging business can quickly become addicting. I think it's the idea that complete strangers might actually be interested, maybe even inspired by, my life and art. How exhilarating! (And how full of myself, ha!)

Anywho...

A week ago I photographed a bunch of the lovely Peonies that were in bloom at our house and was so delighted with how they turned out, I made them into a collection and posted them in my shop.

A week ago I also discovered a nifty little feature that I'm going to start using in this blog. When I was working on the kittens post, I discovered I was able to link the actual photos to a website. Meaning, if you click on the photo, a new page will pop up and direct you to wherever I want (muah ha ha!) So here's what I decided to do: any time you see a photo with my Fiddlehead Photography brand on it, you can click on it and instantly be taken to it's respective listing in my Etsy shop. That way, if you're perusing photos on here and see something you're interested in, you can check out the price and other details on it right away.

Sooo, to test all this out, here is the entire Peony Collection for your viewing pleasure. Click on a couple of them if you like, I could use some feedback as to whether or not it works correctly or if I screwed something up and you wind up at a listing different than the photo you clicked.

Thanks everyone, and enjoy!

Peony Collection

Expressing My Felines

I was sitting on our porch swing the other night with my camera and I got the brilliant idea to follow up the testosterone-fueled, motorcycle madness that was  'The Happening' post with one about...... kitties! What's even better? You get to have a hearty laugh at my awesome (3rd grade level) poetry skills. Hope you enjoy...

 

Trouble 

This little ditty begins with a cat. Kitty Kitty the Barn Kitty (how original is that?)

 

She's contemplative and cautious, as she rubs her head in bliss...

 

But if the dog jumps in the window, she'll arch her back and hiss.

 

One day she brought home kittens, for me this could mean trouble,

Just look at these faces of innocence, the trouble certainly could be double!

This is the kitty I want for my lap, those stripes and those eyes sealed the deal.

 

And this one's so playful, curious, and bold, and its markings that's it.... I was sold.

My Kitty Kitty the Barn Kitty, oh what have you done?

For ALL of your little kittens, my heart they have totally won.

Bike Collection

In lieu of this past weekend and my effort to provide more masculine photos in my shop, I have decided to put up for sale five of the photos that appeared in The Happening post as well as offer a great deal on a collection of the four I liked the most. 

'Father's Day Special- Motorcycle Collection'

Click on the photo to check out the listing.

The Happening

Friday I saw a post on my Facebook newsfeed that would change my plans for the weekend from chilling in my planter beds weeding, planting, and relaxing to a wild two day adventure as a photographer's assistant for The Hollywood Happening in Gowanda, NY.

Martina Mitchell of Mitchell Photo Studios posted that she was looking for a volunteer assistant to help her cover the event, which is a weekend long gathering of bikers complete with contests, shows, bands and street vendors. 

I immediately responded with an emphatic YES because for one, I get to spend the day hanging out with and helping out an awesome Facebook friend (whom I've never even met face to face before). Two, the prospect of spending 8 hours a day for two whole days without hearing 'mommy' 30 times a minute sounded like absolute heaven. Three, I have gone to The Hollywood Happening (FKA The Harley Happening) almost every year since I was a kid and it was always a blast. Fourth, I loved the idea of getting to assist a professional photographer who is as experienced and talented as Martina is. Oh, the things I could learn just by watching her work. Then Fifth and finally, hello... photographing Harleys!! What a refreshing change from flowers!!

 

You HAD to have seen that coming...

Saturday was crazy. Saturday we had a storm. Saturday I learned the true meaning behind 'holding down the fort'. Saturday can pretty much be summed up by this...

 

Ominous

All was not lost though (no pun intended), in the afternoon it cleared up and we were able to get out and see the tattoo contest and do a mini model shoot. All in all, it turned out to be a real good time.

Sunday  was awesome!! Crystal clear blue skies, HUGE turnout, no wind. I had such a great time in fact, that I was inspired to create an HDR montage of my favorite shots of the day. Here's to 'The Happening'...

 

 Me

A lot of you have already seen this pic in a couple different places but I couldn't resist posting it again. This photo epitomizes the day. Me, a camera in my hand, and a huge, shiny hunk of metal in front of the lens. Not to mention totally explains I'm having trouble walking 2 days later. The hundreds of squats I performed throughout the day have taken their toll on my pitifully weak quads.

 Wicked

Shiny

 

Classic

Memorial

Vintage

And you can't have an event for bikers without seeing something like this...

 

True Grit

Or this... 

Bad to the bone?

 Or this...

 

Mmmm...

Weekend Fun

I'm still recovering from the wicked sunburn I got yesterday running around as a photographer's assistant and taking photos at a local motorcycle festa. It was SO worth it though, I had a blast and a half! This afternoon, after about 20 more applications of aloe, I'll be posting all about the fun we had. 

Until then, feel free to mosey on over to my Etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/fiddlephoto) and take a look at the new Fine Art Photos that I posted bright and early this morning. Here's a peek...

'Glowing Home' 

Still Springy

Father's Day may be coming up but I'm still working on new flower Fine Art Photos and posting them in my shop. Here's one that went up this morning, 'Peony'. Take a look at the others at www.etsy.com/shop/fiddlephoto.